The Office of the Commissioner for Government Examinations (Pareeksha Bhavan), Thiruvananthapuram has released the Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test (K-TET) September 2026 notification on 18.09.2026. K-TET is the qualifying examination for anyone who wants to be appointed as a teacher in Lower Primary, Upper Primary or High School classes in Kerala, and it is conducted in four separate categories. Online registration opens on 23.09.2026 and closes on 03.10.2026, with the examination on 14 and 15 November 2026.
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K-TET September 2026 Overview
| Exam Name | Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test (K-TET) September 2026 |
| Organization | Office of the Commissioner for Government Examinations (Pareeksha Bhavan), Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Notification No. | EX/CGL(2)/43100/2026/C.G.E dated 18.09.2026 |
| Location | Kerala |
| Categories | 4 — Category I (Lower Primary), Category II (Upper Primary), Category III (High School), Category IV (Language and Specialist Teachers) |
| Total Vacancies | Not applicable — K-TET is an eligibility test, not a direct recruitment |
| Qualification | Varies by category — Plus Two with TTC/D.El.Ed for Category I; a Degree with B.Ed or D.El.Ed for Categories II and III. Full breakdown in the table below. |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Exam Dates | 14.11.2026 (Categories I and II) and 15.11.2026 (Categories III and IV) |
| Exam Pattern | 150 multiple-choice questions, 150 marks, 2 hours 30 minutes, no negative marking |
| Pass Marks | 60% General → 55% SC/ST/OBC/OEC → 50% Persons with Disability |
| How to Apply | Online only at ktet.kerala.gov.in |
| Official Notification | Download Notification PDF |
| Official Website / Apply Online | ktet.kerala.gov.in |
Note: K-TET is a teacher eligibility examination, not a vacancy notification. There are no posts, no vacancy breakup and no pay scale attached to it, so those sections are not part of this post. Passing K-TET makes you eligible to be considered for teaching appointments in Kerala; it does not by itself give you a job.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 18.09.2026 |
| Online registration begins | 23.09.2026 |
| Last date to apply and pay the fee | 03.10.2026 |
| Last date to take the final printout | 03.10.2026 |
| Hall ticket published on the website | 04.11.2026 |
| Exam — Category I | 14.11.2026 (Saturday), 10.00 am to 12.30 pm |
| Exam — Category II | 14.11.2026 (Saturday), 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm |
| Exam — Category III | 15.11.2026 (Sunday), 10.00 am to 12.30 pm |
| Exam — Category IV | 15.11.2026 (Sunday), 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm |
Exam Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General and all other candidates | Rs. 500 |
| SC / ST | Rs. 250 |
| Persons with Disability / Visually Impaired | Rs. 250 |
Important: the fee is charged for each category you apply for. You still submit only one application, but if you want to write two categories you pay the fee twice. Payment is online through SBI e-Pay using net banking or a credit/debit card. A fee once paid is not refunded and cannot be transferred to another examination, and fee-related complaints have to be taken up with your own bank, quoting the ATRN (Transaction ID / Merchant ID).
Category-Wise Eligibility
| Category | Who it is for | Minimum Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Category I Lower Primary | Teachers for Lower Primary classes | Higher Secondary / Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with 45% marks plus TTC or Diploma in Education conducted by the Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan; or Higher Secondary with 45% plus a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) under NCTE 2002 Rules; or Higher Secondary with 50% plus a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed); or Higher Secondary with 50% plus a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education). |
| Category II Upper Primary | Teachers for Upper Primary classes | A Degree plus a diploma in Elementary Education (TTC / D.Ed / D.El.Ed); or a Degree with 45% plus B.Ed or D.El.Ed (subject to NCTE rules in force); or Higher Secondary with 50% plus a 4-year B.El.Ed; or Higher Secondary with 50% plus a 4-year B.A.Ed or B.Sc.Ed; or the academic and training qualification under KER Chapter XXXI Rule 3 together with a B.Tech or BCA degree awarded or recognised by a Kerala university as qualifying for B.Ed admission; or a BBA degree awarded or recognised by a Kerala university, along with the other qualifications required for Category II. |
| Category III High School | High School Teachers (HST) in Malayalam, English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada, Arabic, Urdu, Social Science, Physical Science, Natural Science and Mathematics | BA / B.Sc / B.Com with 45% marks plus a B.Ed in the same subject, from a Kerala university or a recognised university; or candidates who secured B.Ed admission on the basis of post-graduate marks and passed, per G.O.(Rt) No. 172/2018 dated 04.12.2018; or a degree in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany or Zoology plus an M.Sc.Ed with not less than 50% in the same subject from an NCERT Regional Institute of Education (Botany and Zoology candidates may hold an M.Sc.Ed in Life Science with not less than 50%); or a BA or equivalent with not less than 45% plus LTTC or D.LEd. |
| Category IV Language and Specialist Teachers | Language teachers in Arabic, Hindi, Sanskrit and Urdu up to Upper Primary level; Specialist teachers (Art and Craft); Physical Education teachers up to High School level | The qualification prescribed for these posts under KER Chapter XXXI, as per G.O.(MS) No. 59/2024 dated 10.06.2024 and G.O.(MS) No. 154/2024 dated 19.12.2024. In addition, anyone holding a certificate, diploma or degree in teaching recognised by the Kerala Government, the Pareeksha Bhavan, NCTE or a university may apply for Category IV. |
Three points that catch people out. Final-year students can apply — B.Ed, D.Ed and D.El.Ed students in their final year (3rd and 4th semester) are allowed to write K-TET, but the certificate is released only once they produce the certificate showing they have passed. Second-year students must produce a certificate from the head of their institution at the time of applying. For Categories II and III, the 45% for the degree is worked out on the total marks of all subjects put together, not subject by subject. And candidates who obtained their qualification through an approved correspondence course or an open university must produce an equivalency or recognition certificate from a Kerala university at the time of verification.
Exam Pattern — Category-Wise
Every category has a single paper of 150 multiple-choice questions carrying 150 marks, to be written in 2 hours 30 minutes, with no negative marking. What changes between categories is how those 150 marks are split.
| Category | Part I | Part II | Part III | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category I Lower Primary | Child Development and Pedagogy (6–11 years) 30 + Mathematics 30 + Environmental Studies 30 = 90 | Language 1 — Malayalam / Tamil / Kannada — 30 | Language 2 — English / Arabic* — 30 | 150 |
| Category II Upper Primary | Child Development and Pedagogy (up to 11–14 years) 30 + Subject 60 — Mathematics and Science, or Social Science — = 90 | Language 1 — Malayalam / Tamil / Kannada / English — 30 | Language 2 — Malayalam / English (other than Language 1) — 30 | 150 |
| Category III High School | Adolescent Psychology, Learning Principles and Teaching Aptitude — 40 | Language 1 — Malayalam / Tamil / Kannada / English — 30 | Subject-based questions: content and pedagogy — 80 | 150 |
| Category IV Language and Specialist | Child Development, Pedagogy and Teaching Aptitude — 30 | Language — Malayalam / English / Tamil / Kannada — 40 | Subject-based questions: content and pedagogy — 80 | 150 |
*In Category I, the Arabic option in Part III is open only to candidates qualified to be Arabic teachers at Lower Primary level.
Language of the question paper: for Categories I, II and IV the paper is set in four languages — Malayalam, English, Kannada and Tamil — except for the language subjects themselves. For Category III the paper is in English only, again except for the language subjects. Questions are based on the SCERT syllabus: Standards 1 to 5 for Category I, Standards 5 to 8 for Category II, and Standards 8 to 12 for Category III, though the depth of the questions goes up to secondary level (Categories I and II) and degree level (Category III). Category-wise syllabus PDFs are published on the official website.
Pass Criteria
| Category | Minimum percentage | Marks out of 150 |
|---|---|---|
| General | 60% | 90 |
| SC / ST / OBC / OEC | 55% | 82 |
| Persons with Disability (PwD) | 50% | 75 |
The relaxation is 5% of marks for SC/ST/OBC/OEC candidates and 10% for candidates with disability, as per Kerala Government orders. If any question is dropped, the marks for it are awarded equally to everyone who wrote that category, and the paper is still evaluated out of 150. Once you have passed a category you cannot write that same category again. Every candidate who writes the exam can see their marks on the Pareeksha Bhavan website, whether they pass or not.
How to Apply
- Go to ktet.kerala.gov.in and download the notification, the instructions and the guidelines on how to pay the fee and fill the form.
- Click New Registration on the home page and select the category or categories you want to write. One application covers all of them — but remember the fee is payable separately for each category. If you are already working as a teacher in a Government or aided school, enter that detail as well.
- Fill in the education district where you want to write the exam, along with your name, date of birth, caste, category, religion, medium, part, subject and basic educational qualification, exactly as they appear on your records. Upload your photograph in the prescribed format.
- Select one identity card from the list on the website and enter its number — you will have to produce that same card in original in the exam hall. Check every entry, use Edit Application to correct anything that is wrong, then click Final Confirmation.
- Note down the Application Number and Application ID, take a printout, and pay the fee through SBI e-Pay by net banking or credit/debit card. Take the final printout after the payment goes through and keep it safely.
Note: applications are accepted online only. Do not post the application printout or copies of your certificates to Pareeksha Bhavan — they are not required. No correction of any kind is possible after Final Confirmation, so check everything before you confirm. The hall ticket can only be downloaded using the Application Number and Application ID from your printout.
Documents Required
| Document | Format / Notes |
|---|---|
| Photograph | A recent photograph with a plain background, clearly showing the candidate. The name of the candidate and the date the photo was taken must not be printed on it, no KPSC or other seal may appear on it, and a selfie is not accepted. Only a new photograph should be uploaded. This is the same photograph that will be printed on your K-TET certificate, so it must identify you clearly. Resize your photo and signature → |
| Identity card (any one) | Voter ID issued by the Election Commission, driving licence, passport, PAN card, the identity card issued by the Social Welfare Department to persons with disability, a photo-affixed passbook of a nationalised bank, the department or institution identity card for government employees, or an Aadhaar card issued by the Central Government. You select one of these while applying and must produce that same card in original in the exam hall. |
| Application printout | The final printout taken after the fee payment. Keep it safely — the Application Number and Application ID on it are needed for the hall ticket and for later profile services. |
| Hall ticket | Downloaded from the website from 04.11.2026 using the Application Number and Application ID. Nobody is allowed into the exam hall or permitted to write the exam without a valid hall ticket, and the invigilator-signed hall ticket is also needed later for certificate verification. |
| Educational certificates | Not uploaded with the application. Originals are checked later at the District Education Office, for candidates who pass. |
Certificate Verification and Issue
Because certificates are not checked when you apply, the verification happens afterwards — and this is where candidates who applied without the right qualification lose out. Verification of educational qualification certificates is carried out at the District Education Office of the district concerned, within a time frame notified after the result. Only candidates who held the prescribed minimum qualification on the date of applying will be given the K-TET certificate, and an application found to be short of the qualification at verification is rejected outright.
Everyone who passes must attend verification on the date allotted by the District Education Officer, except final-year B.Ed, D.Ed and D.El.Ed students. If you cannot attend on that date you must explain why and get specific permission first. Candidates who qualify in more than one category receive a separate certificate for each. Certificates are handed over at the District Education Office, and if you do not collect yours on time a fee applies:
| Collected after | Fee |
|---|---|
| 3 months | Rs. 100 |
| 6 months | Rs. 300 |
| 1 year | Rs. 500 |
This amount is paid by demand draft in favour of the Secretary, Pareeksha Bhavan, payable at Thiruvananthapuram.
Important Links
| Download Official Notification (PDF) | Download Notification |
| Apply Online / Official Website | ktet.kerala.gov.in |
| Download Syllabus (Category I to IV) | K-TET Syllabus |
| Join Telegram Channel | Join Telegram Channel |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Join WhatsApp Channel |
For help, the K-TET helpdesk can be reached on 0471-2546832 / 0471-2546833 (technical queries, ktet.helpdesk@gmail.com) and 0471-2546800 / 0471-2546823 (general queries, pareekshabhavancgl@gmail.com).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting more than one application. One application covers every category you want to write — separate applications are not considered. The fee, however, has to be paid separately for each category.
- Assuming you can fix a mistake later. Once you click Final Confirmation, no correction of any kind is possible, so read every field twice before confirming.
- Uploading the wrong photograph. A selfie, a photo with your name or the date printed on it, a photo carrying a KPSC or other seal, or an old photo will all be rejected — and the photo you upload is the one printed on your K-TET certificate.
- Applying without actually holding the qualification. Certificates are not checked at the application stage, so it is entirely possible to pass the exam and still be refused the certificate at verification because you did not hold the minimum qualification on the date you applied.
- Reaching the exam hall without the original identity card you named in your application. The hall ticket alone is not enough, and mobile phones, calculators and smart watches are not allowed inside.
- Re-appearing in a category you have already cleared. Once you have passed a category, you are not permitted to write that same category again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for K-TET September 2026?
03.10.2026 — the same date is the deadline for paying the fee and for taking the final printout.
When will the K-TET September 2026 exam be held?
Categories I and II on 14.11.2026 and Categories III and IV on 15.11.2026, each in a session of 2 hours 30 minutes.
Is there any age limit for K-TET?
No — the notification states plainly that there is no age limit for writing K-TET.
How much is the application fee?
Rs. 500 for general candidates and Rs. 250 for SC/ST candidates and persons with disability, payable through SBI e-Pay — and payable once for each category you apply for.
How many marks do I need to pass K-TET?
60% (90 out of 150) for general candidates, 55% (82 marks) for SC/ST/OBC/OEC candidates and 50% (75 marks) for persons with disability.
Is there negative marking in K-TET?
No, there is no negative marking in any K-TET category.
Can final-year B.Ed or D.El.Ed students apply?
Yes — students in the final year (3rd and 4th semester) may write the exam, but the K-TET certificate is issued only after they produce the certificate showing they have passed.
Does passing K-TET get me a teaching job?
No. The notification says clearly that qualifying in K-TET only makes a person eligible; appointment as a teacher follows only after meeting the other conditions fixed by the Government and the appointing authorities.
Disclaimer: The information above has been compiled from the official notification for the convenience of job seekers. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official website before applying.
